News, Views From Nepal

Yuba Nath Lamsal China and Pakistan have once again demonstrated high level of goodwill and love for one another and expressed their resolve to further expand and nurture their time tested relations for the benefit of the peoples of both the countries. This was truly reflected during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan recently. Wen carried enormous goodwill of Chinese people whereas the Pakistani people, irrespective of their political leaning, were highly enthusiastic and overwhelmed to receive the Chinese Premier in their country. Apart from discussing matters of mutual interests and signing of several agreements and memorandum of understanding concerning bilateral assistance and investment worth more than 35 billion US dollars, the Chinese Premier addressed the joint session of parliament in Pakistan—the rare opportunity that is given to only a few world leaders whom Pakistan respects with high esteem. No world leader ever had such a reception and united response wi

Yuba Nath Lamsal Asenior leader of the CPN-UML, Pradip Nepal, recently wrote an opinion piece in the TRN’s sister publication, the Gorkhapatra daily, in which he categorically said that all the political parties were devoid of the ideology and principle on which their parties were founded. Citing examples of how all the political parties were inconsistent with the cherished principles and ideology, he portrayed a picture of how Nepal’s politics is heading towards a gamble for power and position. Nepal is one of the most prolific writers of contemporary Nepal, who regularly writes columns in the different newspapers, besides having several books to his credit. He is quite right in his evaluation of Nepal’s political parties and their ideological orientation. Unpredictable parties None of the political parties practice what they preach. This inconsistency in principle and practice, and rhetoric and action has made it hard to predict what course of action the parties and leaders will take

Yuba Nath Lamsal The public opinion is divided over the role and function of the United Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) ever since it started operation in Nepal. This debate has been more intense and powerful at present. The UNMIN, too, is in dilemma whether the United Nations is to continue or abandon its mission leaving Nepal's peace process in totter. The UNMIN did not come to Nepal on its own. The United Nations established its good office to facilitate Nepal's peace process upon request from the Nepal Government and the UCPN-Maoist. After the ten years of armed insurgency, the Maoists and seven parliamentary parties entered into an agreement on peace, political transformation and democracy. Accordingly the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed between the seven-party alliance and the CPN-Maoist which is the basis for the entire political and peace process in Nepal. Both the signatories of the CPA jointly requested the United Nations to monitor and coordinate the works co

Yuba Nath Lamsal An acclaimed fiction writer and playwright Govinda Gothale breathed his last on December 13, 2010. He was suffering from multiple ailments. With Gothale’s demise, an era of Nepali literature has come to an end. He is the second generation writer of modern era of Nepali literature who has contributed to all genres of literature. Born as the eldest child of Riddhi Bahadur Malla and Ananda Maya Malla at Ombahal, Kathmandu on July 9, 1922, Jaya Bahadur Malla, as was his original name, became a famed writer under the name Govinda Gothale. Born in socially and politically conscious family, Gothale got opportunity of education even when education for the commoners was restricted. He received primary education in Benaras, completed secondary level education from Durbar High School and higher education from Tri Chandra College. When Gothale was young, the country was under Rana oligarchic rule. Inspired by family members, elders and friends, Gothale was interested in democratic

Yuba Nath Lamsal Recently, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a state visit to India and Pakistan which has been viewed as a cornerstone of China\'s South Asia policy. The remarks Wen expressed during his stay in New Delhi and Islamabad are definitely indicative of the fact that Beijing attaches greater priority to South Asia in the changed international scenario. Wen began his South Asia trip from India where he interacted with people from a cross section of society including political leaders, officials, business community and cultural and civil society leaders. During his meeting and interaction in New Delhi, he gave a firm and deliberate message that Beijing is keen to enhance pragmatic relations of all kinds with India irrespective of the long-running border dispute and other issues. Economic and cultural cooperation and exchanges figured more prominently in the agenda of bilateral discussion. More importantly figured the trade issue. Beijing and New Delhi laid special focus on b

Yuba Nath Lamsal It had never been my ambition to be a journalist. But it was by default that I joined this profession in which I have already spent more than two decades of my life. Reading was my hobby. But writing was not my cup of tea in the beginning. Later I came to realize that only writing can make a man better and give more exposure. This realization inspired me to write. In the beginning, I used to write in Nepali and later I switched over to English as it was my major subject in college and university. The initial writings were so poor that I could not even dare approach the newspapers and magazine editors to publish my write ups. I began my career as a journalist with a vernacular weekly that too was a party's mouth piece. It was Dristi weekly, which used to be published as a mouth piece of CPN-UML (then CPN-ML). It also happened by default. As a student and a school teacher, I was an activist of the CPN-ML during the now defunct Panchayat regime. The party assigned me

By Yuba Nath Lamsal The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in his report to the Security Council on UNMIN, recently expressed his displeasure over the delay in Nepal’s political and peace process. According to him, the comprehensive peace agreement did not fully negotiate the future of the armies, but confined itself to defining the processes, which are yet to commence, with regard to both the special committees and the parallel commitment to an action plan for democratisation of the Nepal Army. The Secretary General’s report states that the delay was due to the behaviour and attitude of the political stakeholders of Nepal especially the political parties. However, he failed to mention that the role of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) was just as responsible for this situation. Heaping criticisms Ever since UNMIN came to Nepal at the request of the Nepal government and the Maoists, the UN body has never been free from criticism. In the beginning, the Maoists were

By Yuba Nath Lamsal Amidst appre hensions and reservations about its role, the caretaker government has extended the tenure of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for another six months, while calling for a sharp reduction in its size. Although it has not been clearly stated how big it should be, it is a message to the UN mission that its role and activities are not wholeheartedly welcome in Nepal. Objectionable role The UN mission was established not on its own but at the request of the Government of Nepal and the CPN-Maoist. Its mandate, as stated in the tripartite agreement among the Government of Nepal, CPN-Maoist and the United Nations, is to monitor the peace process, which includes aiding in the Constituent Assembly election and managing the arms and army of the Maoist. One important chapter of the peace process has been complete with the successful conduct of the Constituent Assembly election. Nepal now is in the process of writing a new constitution, which is an even m

Yuba Nath Lamsal As goes an old but apt maxim: One can choose a friend but not a neighbor. Thus one has to adjust relations with neighbor and deal accordingly—be it with individual relationship or ties between the two neighboring countries. Neighbor is always there in the next door and one cannot ignore it. So far as Nepal's relationship with its neighbors is concerned, the Himalayan republic is always in dilemma in dealing with its neighbors. Nepal has two giant neighbors—China to the north and India to the south. Nepal has absolutely no problem with its northern neighbor—China after both the countries entered into diplomatic relation. But Kathmandu is faced with multitude frictions and irritants with India, which has surrounded Nepal from three sides. Ever since Nepal was created as an independent political entity, it has been finding a tough time in defending its territory and safeguarding national independence. There were some minor frictions with the northern neighbor which t

Yuba Nath Lamsal Debates and discourses on the possible course of Nepal’s politics are being held more outside Parliament than inside. This is why Nepal is faced with its worst political deadlock in modern history. The parliament is the supreme body of people’s elected representatives, and they should be the ultimate arbitrator of the country’s problems and politics. But the reality is something else as the parties and leaders take decisions on national issues inside some dark room outside Parliament and get their decisions endorsed by the House as a formality and for legitimacy. Rubber stamp In a way, the parliament has become a rubber stamp of the leaders - most of whom were either rejected by the people during the election or did not contest the polls for fear of being defeated. Nothing can be a bigger irony than this. The elected representatives of the people sit idle for not having anything to do in the House whereas a handful of leaders decide on issues outside Parliament. This i

By Yuba Nath Lamsal The sixth plenum of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) concluded a fortnight ago in the historically important district of Gorkha. It was perhaps the biggest political gathering of this kind in the modern political history of Nepal. After extensive deliberations, the largest political force of Nepal came up with its own assessment and decision on several issues that include domestic policies as well as the international issues and relations. The issue concerning India\'s role in Nepal\'s domestic policy dominated the discussion. The Maoist conclave raised high the banner of patriotism. After heated deliberation, it made the assessment that India is the principal obstacle on the path of Nepal\'s political transformation and development and also a threat to Nepal\'s sovereignty. This conclusion was reached with overwhelming majority. There were two clearly distinct lines regarding the role of external elements in Nepal\'s internal affair

By Yuba Nath Lamsal Hopes are low and scepticisms are high in Nepali politics. This is mainly because of the behaviour of Nepal’s political parties and their leaders. The public faith in the parties and leaders has dwindled so badly that people do not believe that the current crop of politicians can lead the country to a better future. The parties and their leaders have a credibility problem. Nepal’s major political parties are in internal turmoil. Although a split is not seen in the immediate future, these parties ultimately may not be in a position to remain united for long. The unity within the parties at the moment is just a temporary adjustment for their convenience and not based on ideological and political ground. Divided parties Given the way the parties are functioning, they have already broken into different factions. But they refuse to acknowledge that the parties have split, and claim that they are united and one in the party, although they openly clash and contravene party

Yuba Nath Lamsal The Palungtar plenum of the UCPN-Maoist is over. Much has been written about the plenum. Some issues were overblown, some exaggerated and some under reported. Still there are issues that have not been reported in the media at all. On the coverage of the Palungtar conclave, the Nepali media clearly stood on two sides. Accordingly, they had two different and distinct views on the Maoist plenum. The media did not stand in between but appeared divided between the pro-Maoist and anti-Maoist camps. This conclusion could be made from the angle of their coverage. Divided camps The pro-Maoist media reported that the Palungtar plenum was an example of grand unity and success. Viewed on the basis of organisation and management, the mega event was definitely a success. The meeting of more than 7,000 people was organised in a flawless manner. It was, no doubt, a Herculean job to manage such a big conference that includes logistics like food and accommodation. Palungtar is a small v